Chapter One: The Experiment
"Oi, Vegapunk!" Luffy, now around 28 years old barged into the oversized laboratory with his crew beside him. Out of nowhere, the Pirate King and his crew received a request to go to Vegapunk's lab. The Straw Hat Pirates owed Vegapunk a favor for switching sides during the final battle for Raftel and turning the Marines' most advanced technology four years prior, and it seems that he chose now to cash it in. "What do you want this time?!"
"Ah, it's good that all of you are here," Vegapunk said, turning around from the machine he was tinkering with. He examined the crew with trained eyes as they filed into a line to face him.
Luffy hadn't changed much since the final battle. He wore the same vest, exposing the X shaped scar on his chest and blue shorts. Ever since Shanks had died in the final battle of Raftel, Luffy had decided to continue wearing his straw hat to carry out his legacy, and Roger's before him.
Zoro had decided to emulate his past in the clothes that he wore, opting for his dark green bandana, a white shirt, and dark brown cargo pants. His left eye had long since been opened after controlling the curse, but the scar had yet to show any signs of healing. He had three swords strapped to his side: His precious Wado Ichimonji, the fabled blade Shusui, and the infamous Shodai Kitetsu, in which he claimed off one of the Gorosei. On top of that, he had three swords on his back as well. He only used these swords for emergencies, but he always kept them on his person. Two katanas, one with a red hilt and one with a blue hilt were crossed on his back. These swords were called Umi no Nayami (Bane of the Sea) and Akuma no Handan (Devil's Judgement), two swords that were found among the many treasures of Raftel. Sheathed down the center of his back was Yoru, which Zoro had taken after defeating his mentor, vowing to carry on his legacy as the greatest swordsman.
Nami hadn't changed much at all, still opting for the bikini and skinny jeans. She wielded an all new clima-tact, though, and although it didn't look as visually appealing as Zoro's swords, it had a lot of tricks up its sleeves.
Usopp stood proudly, dawning a black tank top and his father's starred cape, which was given to him shortly after Luffy claimed Raftel. His trusty slingshot was at his side, along with many small pouches, in which lead to many carefully organized types of ammunition.
Sanji took a drag out of his cigarette with a bored expression on his face. He decided that he liked his current hairstyle, refusing to style his hair in the ridiculous fashion of his family. He wore a simple black tuxedo, though his shoes were specially designed by Usopp and Franky to enhance the heat of his techniques and facilitating his Sky Walk skill.
After Chopper had achieved his dreams, he had a small suit inspired by his surrogate father, Doctor Hiriluk, although he managed to his late father's hat on his head. Other than that, Chopper decided there was no other need to change his appearance.
Like Nami, Robin had not changed much over the years. Although her clothing stayed the same, she had decided to try tying her hair up in a ponytail.
Franky wore his old hairstyle with pride. He still wore his speedo and Hawaiian shirt, his shoulder plates and arms were now painted black and gold to signify his SUPER upgrade since finding long lost technologies from the void century in Raftel.
Brook wore his standard suit and tie, a small hat on his afro. He wielded a new cane, a sturdy, brown cane with a straight handle instead of a curved one, allowing for him to wield the rapier within with more comfort and accuracy.
Vegapunk was slightly shocked to see that even Jimbei showed up. The fishman had been working on interspecies communications with humans an fishmen ever since Luffy had become Pirate King. Jimbei now wore a red garb, a garb now only worn by the royal advisor of the empire.
"I've been working on a new machine," the aged scientist gestured towards the hulking machine behind him. Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper's eyes turned into stars, but Vegapunk decided to continue on before any of them could get any ideas. "And I wanted to use you all as live test subjects."
"Why us?" Sanji asked quizzically, exhaling smoke as he talked. "Couldn't you just get some random person to do it?"
"Because this will benefit the both of us," Vegapunk fought the urge to gag at the secondhand smoke as he stared down the crew. "You all have achieved your dreams and sailed all corners of the ocean. This machine is a gateway to another dimension, one potentially unexplored by man. A new sea just waiting to be sailed."
"Woah!" Luffy exclaimed, all of the words flying over his head except for the last sentence. "That's awesome, Vegapunk! When can we go?!"
"Are you sure you want to do this, Luffy?" Nami asked, being the oh so valued level-headed crewmate.
Luffy stopped and turned to his crew, thinking before a little bit before a bright grin appeared on his face. "Honestly, I appreciate you all following me through my dream. For the past four years, all of you have returned to your own lives, or have made your own, but right now there is an opportunity for a new adventure," Luffy extended his open palm before gripping it shut. "I won't make any of you come with me. The decision is yours, but if you want to sail with me once more, then feel free to join me."
"Well, you are the captain," Zoro chuckled to himself. "What kind of first mate would I be if I abandoned my captain here?"
"Why not?" Nami shrugged and twirled her staff. "After having all this money for so long, I can't help but feel like I want to start something new."
"As a brave warrior of the sea, I cannot turn down this challenge!" Usopp declared. "Not even this new dimension can best the mighty Usopp!"
"You'll all be dead from scurvy three weeks in if I didn't come along," Sanji scoffed, smiling at his captain. "Ah, to hell with it. I'll come, but only because Nami-swan is too."
"Luffy, thanks to you, I achieved my dream of becoming the world's greatest doctor," Chopper said, looking down for a moment before meeting his captain's eyes with a fierce determination. "I owe you everything. I will come along with you on this journey."
"I wonder what kind of things I can discover in this new dimension," Robin smiled to herself, thinking of the possibilities. "I can't pass up an opportunity like this."
"THIS NEW DIMENSION THING IS NO MATCH FOR THE SUUUPER CYBORG FRANKY!" Franky exclaimed, busting his signature pose. "BRING IT ON!"
"It would be an honor to continue travelling with you, Luffy-san," Brook put a hand to his ribcage and looked at Luffy with sincere eye-sockets. "The excitement of a new adventure makes my heart pound with excitement! Except I don't have a heart! Yohohohoho!"
"I would love to go," Jimbei said, looking to the floor with a serious expression. "But I cannot. There is still much work to be done on Fishman Island and I cannot just abandon them."
"It's okay, Jimbei," Luffy smiled at his comrade. "I understand that you have responsibilities now. I hope that one day we will meet again."
Jimbei nodded, the smile returning on the fishman's face as Luffy turned to meet Vegapunk. "What do we do?"
"First of all, you all need to prepare," Vegapunk said, showing an index finger. "I'm not too sure if we can even bring you back, so bring everything you need and say your final goodbyes. I'm not too sure what kind of dimension this machine will lead to. It can be anything from just a trip to the past to a place where ninjas can run up walls and breathe fire. Do that and come back here in three days, and then we will continue."
The straw hat pirates nodded and left the building, leaving Vegapunk to his own thoughts.
"Ace, Shanks, Sabo, I'm back," Luffy sat down by the three graves which were side by side from each other. Shanks sacrificed himself in the battle against Blackbeard, giving Luffy the opening he needed to finish off the pirate at the cost of his life. Sabo had died taking a hit for Koala when the Revolutionaries finally waged war on the Celestial Dragons. Luffy was there and like his brother Ace, Sabo had died in his arms.
"I'm not sure if I'll ever see you all again, but I hope you're watching over me," Luffy smiled as he sat there in silence for a moment. After awhile he got up and used Sky Walk to find his way to Dawn Island. He landed by his old treehouse where he, Ace, and Sabo used to live. He entered the small house and smiled sadly as he laid eyes on a fairly large sack. After a moment of hesitation, he reached out to grab the bag.
Zoro poured two cups of sake, placing one down at Kuina's grave. "I already achieved our dream, but I have been offered to go to a new, faraway place," he said, downing the alcohol. "I swear to you, I'll become the best swordsman in that world too."
Nami walked out of Cocoyashi town, eagerly counting the money she had just stolen from the villagers. Even though she was heading somewhere new, it didn't hurt to go out with a bang.
"Kaya," Usopp sat down by her grave. Even though she had gotten better before he left, the illness had only worsened as Usopp continued his journey. By the time he came back, she was already long gone. "I've been asked to go to a faraway place. I know you'll be there with me the whole way, and I'll be sure to tell you all the amazing stories of the Amazing Usopp as we go."
Usopp sniffled and wiped his eyes before standing up and heading to his cabin to restock.
Sanji walked out of the New Baratie, fighting back tears. He was leaving his restaurant behind for good this time, all for the sake of his captain. Well, and Nami. For Nami-swan and Robin-chan, it was worth it in the pervert's eyes.
Chopper stood by his surrogate father's grave. "Doctor, I have to go now," Chopper said, choking back sobs as he placed his two old hats by the grave. "I hope you're proud of me for my decisions and my achievements. I know I am."
Robin sighed as she looked at her library. She had packed a few of her favorite books, but it wasn't as if she could bring her whole library. "I'm going to miss all of these books," she said to herself before walking out, closing the door behind her.
Franky was at Vegapunk's island. At this point, there was only one who needed his goodbyes. Franky gingerly placed one of his giant hands on the hull of the Thousand Sunny. "It's a shame I can't take you with us," Franky said genuinely, lifting his glasses to wipe a tear from his eye. "But I will build another ship to carry on your legacy, Sunny. I swear it."
"I'm so sorry, Laboon," Brook couldn't help but tear up at the whale's sad cries. "I have found my own family, and I cannot go without them."
The whale bellowed again. While still filled with sorrow, Brook could detect the understanding in the sounds the whale made. "Thank you, Laboon," Brook whispered as tears fell from his skull to the floor. "Please. Allow me to play one more song for you."
As promised, in three days time, the Straw Hat Pirates met up at Vegapunk's lab. The machine had activated, causing a wall of light to appear. "I'm not sure if you will be alone or together when you end up on the other side. As far as I know, you will appear near a person or place your soul resonates with."
Luffy nodded. He had handed out a vivire card to everyone that was time to him. "If we are apart, use the card to find me, and we'll meet together within three weeks. We nave no idea how big this place is, but it shouldn't be too hard to get across with Sky Walk."
The crew nodded, causing Vegapunk to smile. "Now go before the lab runs out of power."
Luffy smiled as he led his crew into the wall of light, ending a chapter on their lives and starting another.
A/N: I'm going to try to say this with the least amount of spoilers possible, but it's very important to clarify. I started writing this fic around the beginning of Wano, so any new abilities the Straws Hats have gotten in the second half of Wano may not make an appearance until later in the fic, if at all. I will be replying to reviews, so feel free to leave one! I love reading and responding to reviews! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you follow the development of this fic.
